Written answers
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Data
Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
266. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown of cost efficiencies for all renewable technologies by megawatt in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21647/16]
Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for energy exported to the grid. The REFIT support schemes are underpinned by detailed economic analysis to ensure long-term certainty for investors and overall value for money for consumers. The REFIT schemes assure a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15 year period and cover a range of different renewable energy technologies, including wind energy, biomass and hydro-generation.
REFIT forms a key part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO). The PSO levy is charged to all electricity customers in Ireland to support national policy objectives related to renewable energy, indigenous fuels (peat) and security of energy supply. The PSO levy is determined each year by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Ireland’s REFIT schemes have proved effective in attracting investment into the renewable energy sector. In addition, the REFIT schemes have been found to be a very cost effective tool to support renewables development, as indicated by a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators in 2015.
Each year my Department publishes a list of renewable energy technologies to be supported and the associated tariff for each. The 2015-2016 list is outlined in the following table.
| Tariff per MW (€) | 2015/2016 |
|---|---|
| REFIT 1 | |
| Large Wind (above 5MW) | 69.72 |
| Small wind (equal to or less than 5MW | 72.167 |
| Hydro | 88.068 |
| Biomass Landfill Gas | 85.622 |
| Other Biomass | 88.068 |
| REFIT 2 | |
|---|---|
| Large Wind (above 5MW) | 69.72 |
| Small Wind (equal to or less than 5MW | 72.167 |
| Hydro | 88.068 |
| Biomass Landfill Gas | 85.622 |
| REFIT 3 | |
|---|---|
| Biomass Combustion | 89.314 |
| Biomass Combustion – Energy Crops | 99.822 |
| Large Biomass CHP (above 1,500 kW) | 126.091 |
| Small Biomass CHP (equal to or less than 1,500 kW) | 147.106 |
| Large Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Non CHP (above 500kW) | 105.076 |
| Small AD Non CHP (equal to or less than 500kW) | 115.583 |
| Large AD CHP (above 500kW) | 136.598 |
| Small AD CHP (equal to or less than 500kW) | 157.613 |
My Department is developing a new support scheme for renewable electricity and an initial consultation took place last year. In-depth economic analysis is now underway to inform the cost of any new scheme. Maintaining overall value for money for consumers, while reflecting the actual investment costs for renewable energy technologies is a key part of this work. Once the detailed economic analysis is complete, there will be a further public consultation on the design of the new scheme. The scheme, which will be subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission is expected to become available in 2017.
No comments